Thursday, July 16, 2026

NAF airstrikes eliminate 30 terrorist kingpins, fighters in Lake Chad

Mr Gabkwet said that among those neutralised were some senior commanders of the insurgents.

• April 16, 2024
NAF aircraft
NAF aircraft [Credit: Vanguard News]

The Air component of the Operation Hadarin Kai has executed a precision airstrike on the hideouts of ISWAP terrorists, killing over 30 of their fighters within Kolleram village along the shores of Lake Chad.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Gabkwet said the airstrikes conducted on April 13, were a decisive blow against terrorism in the North-East.

He said the operation yielded significant success as the Battle Damage Assessment post-strike conducted revealed the neutralisation of over 30 terrorists.

Mr Gabkwet said that among those neutralised were some senior commanders of the insurgents including Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah, and Mallam Ari.

“Additionally, numerous vehicles, motorcycles, and logistical assets were destroyed, severely hampering the terrorists’ operational capabilities. Intelligence gathered after the air strike further indicated that the aerial bombardment effectively obliterated a key facility within the Kolleram enclave, which served as a hub for the terrorists’ food processing activities, including grinding machines.

“The success of these airstrikes underscores NAF’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of Nigerian citizens. By neutralising key terrorist figures and destroying their logistical infrastructure, the operation has significantly degraded the capabilities of the ISWAP group in the region. These airstrikes complement the ongoing efforts of ground forces in the Lake Chad flank and represent a crucial step forward in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria,” he said.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Heading 1

20,000 pigs killed in Canada wildland fires

The fire incident at the farm occurred as 200 separate wildfires were burning across different parts of Ontario, prompting evacuation of residents.

LEGISLATIVE GAVEL

States

Court remands Anambra teenager over alleged defilement

The teenager faces a one-count charge of defilement.

States

Yobe woos 50 foreign, local investors 

Mr Chikaji said, “Yobe is open for business, not just in aspiration but in practice.”

Vice-President Kashim Shettima

Opinion

Azu Ishiekwene: Shettima’s final test

Vice-President Kashim Shettima cannot be blamed for having doubts about whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would renominate him as his running mate for a second term.

Bola Tinubu and Femi Gbajabiamila

Anti-Corruption

Presidency memo justifies Gbajabiamila’s role in NUPRC N54 billion revenue controversy

But the memo defended the chief of staff, asserting that Mr Gbajabiamila was acting under Mr Tinubu’s orders.

ROHINGYA REFUGEES

World

UN says over 500 Rohingya refugees feared dead after two ships sink off Myanmar coast

A second boat, reportedly carrying about 280 people, is believed to have sunk off Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady coast on July 8.